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Chevak
(CHEE-vack); a.k.a. Kashunamiut
For Photos of Chevak click here
For a Map of Chevak click here
| Current Population: |
922
(2008 DCCED Certified Population)
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| Incorporation Type: |
2nd Class City |
| Borough Located In: |
Unorganized |
| Taxes: |
Sales: None,
Property: None, Special: None
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| Coastal Management District: |
Ceñaliulriit CRSA |
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| Location
and Climate |
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Chevak is located on the north bank of the Niglikfak River, 17 miles east of Hooper Bay in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. The community
lies at approximately 61.527780° North Latitude
and -165.586390° West Longitude.
(Sec. 34, T017N, R090W, Seward Meridian.)
Chevak is located in the
Bethel Recording District.
The area encompasses 1.1
sq. miles of land and 0.1 sq. miles
of water.
Chevak has a maritime climate. Its location near the Bering Sea renders the area subject to heavy winds and rain. Temperatures range from -25 to 79 °F. Snowfall averages 60 inches per year. Freeze-up occurs at the end of October. Break-up occurs in June. |
Topographic
map of
Chevak
area
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| History, Culture
and Demographics |
| Eskimos have inhabited the region for thousands of years. The current location is also known as New Chevak, because residents inhabited another village called Chevak before 1950. "Old" Chevak, on the north bank of the Keoklevik River, 9 miles east of Hooper Bay, was abandoned because of flooding from high storm tides. The name Chevak refers to "a connecting slough," on which "Old" Chevak was situated. The new site was first reported by the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey in 1948. A post office was established in 1951. The city government was incorporated in 1967.
A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Chevak Native Village (a.k.a. Kashunamiut).
The population of the community consists of 95.9%
Alaska Native or part Native.
Chevak is a Cup'ik Eskimo village. Commercial fishing and subsistence activities are an important part of the local culture. The sale or importation of alcohol is banned in the village.
During the 2000 U.S. Census,
total housing units numbered 190, and vacant housing units numbered 23.
Vacant housing units used
only seasonally numbered 8.
U.S. Census data for Year
2000 showed 231 residents
as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was
15.07 percent,
although
42.82 percent of
all adults were not in the work force. The median household
income was $26,875, per capita income was $7,550, and
29.49 percent of residents
were living below the poverty level.
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| Facilities,
Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| A piped water and sewer provides service to 193 homes and the school.
Electricity is provided by AVEC.
There is one school located in the community,
attended by 317
students.
Local hospitals or health clinics include Chevak Clinic (907-858-7069).
Chevak is classified as an isolated village, it is found in EMS Region 7A in the Yukon/Kuskokwim Region Emergency Services have air access. Emergency service is provided by a health aide
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| Economy
and Transportation |
Employment in Chevak is at its peak in the summer months and declines to a few full-time positions during winter. Construction projects and BLM fire fighting provide summer employment. Seventeen residents hold commercial fishing permits. Incomes are supplemented by subsistence activities and handicrafts. Salmon, seal, walrus, clams, and waterfowl are harvested.
A state-owned 2,610' long by 40' wide gravel airstrip is available, although heavy winds and rain can preclude air access. A relocation of the airport is currently underway. Float planes can land on Chevak Lake/Ninglikfak River. There are no docking facilities; however, a barge landing is available for cargo off-loading. Skiffs are used for local travel on the river in the summer, and snowmachines are used in the winter. Winter trails exist to Scammon Bay (25 mi.), Hooper Bay (20 mi.), and Newtok (50 mi.). |
Organizations
with Local Offices
City -
City of Chevak
P.O. Box 136
Chevak, AK 99563
Phone 907-858-7128
Fax 907-858-7245
E-mail cityofchevak@yahoo.com
School District -
Kashunamiut School District
P.O. Box 345
Chevak, AK 99563
Phone 907-858-7713
Fax 907-858-7328
E-mail lkramer@chevak.kasd.schoolaccess.net
Web http://www.chevak.schoolaccess.net
Village Corporation -
Chevak Company Corporation
P.O. Box 276
Chevak, AK 99563
Phone 907-858-7920
Fax 907-858-7311
E-mail chevakcc@unicom-alaska.com
Village Council -
Chevak Native Village
P.O. Box 140
Chevak, AK 99563
Phone 907-858-7428
Fax 907-858-7812
E-mail chevaktc@unicom-alaska.com
Regional
Organizations
School District - Kashunamiut School District
P.O. Box 345
Chevak, AK 99563
Phone 907-858-7713
Fax 907-858-7328
E-mail lkramer@chevak.kasd.schoolaccess.net
Web http://www.chevak.schoolaccess.net
Regional Native Corporation - Calista Corporation
301 Calista Court, Suite A
Anchorage, AK 99518-3028
Phone 907-279-5516
Fax 907-272-5060
E-mail calista@calistacorp.com
Web http://www.calistacorp.com
Regional Native Health Corporation - Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corp.
P.O. Box 528
Bethel, AK 99559
Phone 907-543-6020
Fax 907-543-6006
E-mail gene_peltola@ykhc.org
Web http://www.ykhc.org/
CDQ Group - Coastal Villages Region Fund
711 H Street, Suite 200
Anchorage, AK 99501-3461
Phone 907-278-5151
Fax 907-278-5150
E-mail morgen_c@coastalvillages.org
Web http://www.coastalvillages.org/
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